Sales Tax, Mixed Drinks, City Charter, Schools and More in May 5 Elections
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 3, 2015)
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 is Election Day and there is a state-wide proposal on the ballot as well as a handful of local initiatives.
STATEWIDE SALES TAX INCREASE
State-wide voters will be asked to increase the state sales tax to 7%. The ballot language reads:
A proposal to amend the State Constitution to increase the sales/use tax from 6% to 7% to replace and supplement reduced revenue to the School Aid Fund and local units of government caused by the elimination of the sales/use tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles operating on public roads, and to give effect to laws that provide additional money for roads and other transportation purposes by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.
The proposed constitutional amendment would:
-Eliminate sales / use taxes on gasoline / diesel fuel for vehicles on public roads.
-Increase portion of use tax dedicated to School Aid Fund (SAF).
-Expand use of SAF to community colleges and career / technical education, and prohibit use for 4-year colleges / universities.
-Give effect to laws, including those that:
-Increase sales / use tax to 7%, as authorized by constitutional amendment.
-Increase gasoline / diesel fuel tax and adjust annually for inflation, increase vehicle registration fees, and dedicate revenue for roads and other transportation purposes.
-Expand competitive bidding and warranties for road projects.
-Increase earned income tax credit.
FERNDALE
The City of Ferndale has two proposals. One is a 10-year renewal of the Headlee Override that otherwise is set to expire. The “Operating Millage Renewal Proposal” is for 5.4552 mills and would account for approximately $2,691,689 of the City’s budget for 2016.
The City is also asking for a “Ferndale Street and Park Improvement Bond Proposal” that would allow the City to borrow up to $45,000,000 for a term of 15 years. This bond is the replacement for a bond that is set to expire, so taxes will not go up if it is approved. If it is not approved, taxes will go down, but the work on the roads and parks would not be funded.
Read more about these proposals at: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/10/ferndale-voters-to-decide-on-funding-for-roads-parks-and-city-services/
And also on the City of Ferndale website: www.ferndalemi.gov.
OAK PARK
Voters in the City of Oak Park will have their say in whether the sale of spirits and mixed drinks should be allowed in restaurants. The City and local restaurant owners are hoping that ending prohibition will help spur economic development in the community. Read more at: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/03/10/spirit-sales-in-restaurants-on-the-may-ballot-for-oak-park-voters/
PONTIAC and PONTIAC SCHOOLS
In Pontiac voters are being asked to approve a new City Charter. The Charter would replace a 1981 Charter and has several key changes including a new section on ethics, more financial reporting to the public, and changing the districts so that there are five City Council members elected by district and two elected at-large. Read more at: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/05/02/pontiac-voters-to-decide-on-new-city-charter-election-may-5/.
The Pontiac School District is on the ballot as well, asking for a bond for repairs in the school buildings. The 2.87 mill levy would be for a period of five years. To learn more about the needed repairs see: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/03/31/pontiac-schools-seeking-millage-for-facility-repairs-vote-is-may-5/.
ADDISON TWP
Addison Township voters will have the option of approving a .25 mill levy for the North Oakland Transportation Authority.
FRANKLIN TWP
Voters in Franklin Township are being asked to approve a special millage to supplement funding for police services. This replaces an existing millage and would keep the funding for five years. If voters approve the .3980 mills, it would raise approximately $117,707 in the first year for police services.
BERKLEY SCHOOLS
Berkley Schools is asking voters to approve a bond that would allow them to borrow up to $58,950,000 for “erecting, furnishing and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, acquiring, installing and equipping or re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and improving sites.” This is a 3.00 mill proposal with a bond dept. to be repaid within 25 years. Read more at: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/21/berkley-schools-save-money-on-old-bonds-asking-for-3-mils-on-may-5/
BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS
Birmingham Schools is asking voters to approve a bond that would allow them to borrow up to $66,000,000 to pay for improving school buildings, installing technology equipment and infrastructure, improving sites and construction of security entrances at school buildings and additions to school facilities. This is 3.90 mill proposal that is not any increase over the 2014 levy. The bond is expected to take up to 20 years for repayment.
OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Other school districts considering bonds and operating millages include: Bloomfield Hills Schools, Clarkston Community Schools, Farmington Public School District, Huron Valley Schools, Northville Public Schools, and South Lyon Community Schools
To read the proposed ballot language for each, visit https://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections/Documents/2015%20May_%20proposals.pdf.
Check out our Election page at http://oaklandcounty115.com/category/election-information/.